Attachment for unhairing machinery



June 14, 1938. J. ZABEL ATTACHMENT FOR UNHAIRING MACHINERY Filed Jan. 3, 1936 5 SheetsSheet l J aco b INVENTOR fi ATTORNEY.

June 14, 1938. .1, ZABEL 2,120,847

ATTACHMENT FOR UNHAIRING MACHINERY Filed Jan. 5, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 J4: l: a b &l INVENTOR BIY mg ATTORNEY June 14, 1938. ZABEL. 2,120,847

ATTACHMENT FOR UNHAIRING MACHINERY Filed Jan. 5, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 J5. cob Zabc INVENTOR BY M 3 ATTORNEY iii Patented June 14, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE ATTACHMENT FOR UNHAIRING MACHINERY 21 Claims.

My invention relates generally to machines for unhairing fur pelts and the purpose of these machines is to remove the stiff hairs from among the soft fur of the skins of certain fur bearing animals to increase the quality and commercial value of the furs Unhairing machinery of this character has been widely used in the industry and the more common type consists generally of a cutting mechanism and a traveling conveyor which carries the skins to be treated into the path of the cutting mechanism for the purpose, as stated above, of removing the stiff hairs from among the soft fur.

Heretofore, the pelts have been fastened to the conveyor by means of ordinary straight pins in serted by an operator. A further development brought out the use of pins or other fastening means permanently carried by the conveyor and adapted to catch into the pelt, but for certain reasons this specific arrangement was not satisfactory, the main disadvantage being that the fastening means to be effective must be up off the conveyor to an elevation approximately that of the fur and as a consequence they traveled directly into the path of the cutting mechanism and in many instances were badly mutilated.

More specifically then, the present invention is directed to certain improvements in the construction of means for automatically throwing the cutting mechanism out of effective engagement with the fastening means holding the pelts so that as the fastening means comes into the path of the cutting mechanism either the conveyor is withdrawn and with it the fastening means to escape the cutting mechanism or the latter is thrown out of operation until the projecting fastening or holding means has passed out of the cutting zone.

It might be mentioned that in some types of conveyors, a series of pockets is used to hold and guide the leading ends of the pelts through the machine and unless the pockets are taken out of the cutting path of the mechanism, as they pass, the pockets are rapidly destroyed.

With the foregoing clearly in mind, it is the main purpose of the present invention to provide an attachment for machines already in existence and to incorporate in future machines of this character, means capable of automatically ren dering the cutting mechanism ineffective during travel or movement of the pelt holding means through the cutting Zone of unhairing machinery.

I accomplish this purpose by means of the embodiments of my invention hereinafter described in the specification, set forth in the appended (C1. MAJ-$6) claims and illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one type of unhairing machine showing my attachment applied;

Figure 2 is a substantially longitudinal sectional View of the same machine showing the parts in their position which allows the fastening means to pass without interference from the cutting mechanism;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of another type of unhairing machine showing an attachment according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is an elevational view of the portion of the attachment in operative position;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of a section of a traveling conveyor showing the means for oper ating the attachment and the pockets and pins used to engage and hold the pelts; and

Figure 6 is an edge view of the conveyor.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figures 1 and 2 and 5 and 6, ill denotes the up right side frames of an unhairing machine of the particular type embodying a continuous carrier or conveyor ll supported at one end on rollers, not shown, and at the other end about a stretcher bar l2 disposed traversely of the movement of the conveyor ii.

The stretcher bar l2 comprises a straight length of material provided at its ends with upright ears l3 and at its midportion with a longitudinally disposed slot M. The leading side of the stretcher bar is tapered off approximately to a knife edge l5 about which the conveyor li turns. Mounted to turn freely in the slot it is a roller I6 which is of a diameter sufficiently large to project above and below the opposite faces of the bar so as to receive and support the con veyor just short of the edge E5. A second roller ll is carried on brackets is at the rear or trailing side of the bar to further hold the upper and lower stands of the conveyor in proper spaced relation to each other. In order to take up any slack in the conveyor caused by movement of the stretcher bar l2, a roller i9 is yieldably urged against the conveyor It so as to cause the latter to follow the periphery of the roller iii for a short distance before projecting towards the edge if: of the bar. The roller I9 is mounted at its ends in arms 2t which are rigidly supported on a shaft 2| mounted in the upright ears or plates lb of the stretcher bar !2. Coiled springs 22 are attached to and encircle the blocks 23 turning with shaft 2| and have their free ends engaged over the arms Q 20 to yieldably urge the same towards the roller Normally the stretcher bar I2 is a stationary member and the cutting mechanism is arranged to operate just beyond the tapered edge [5 so as to clip off the radially projecting stiff hairs of a pelt being carried above the edge. The cutting mechanism in the present device comprises a swing knife frame 24 which reciprocates between a station just in advance of the edge I5 to a station below the cutting line. The frame 24 carries a straight knife 25 which in its raised position cooperates with a rotary knife blade 25 to effect a cutting operation. The blade 26 is a straight knife carried at the ends of spaced radial arms 21 which are fixed on a rotary shaft 28. The shaft 28 is mounted in bearings 29 carried at the upper ends of upright arms 30 arranged on the frames I5. A gear 3| is keyed to one end of the shaft 28 and is driven by a chain of driving gears, not shown.

In the course of operation of the present type of machine, the soft fur of the skin, as it moves about the stretcher bar 12 must be brushed away from the stiff hairs so that only the latter will move into the path of the knife blades 25 and 26 and be severed thereby. To accomplish this brushing action a roller brush 32 is used and it is supported at its ends on the arms of a brush carrier 33 which is only partially illustrated because it is a well known element of these machines.

Referring now to the conveyor H the latter comprises an endless length of material upon which are mounted at spaced intervals transversely disposed strips of material to form pockets 34. The material of each pocket is stitched or otherwise attached to the conveyor H along its leading edge so as to enable the operator to conveniently place the head of the pelt underneath the pocket. To more securely hold the skins under the pockets the conveyor is provided with a series of pins 35 having their points projecting upright. When the pocket travels under the roller iii the spring pressure thereof will cause the pin points to project into the under side of the pelt. It is desirable to further fasten the pelt beyond the pocket and to do this, differently shaped pins 25 are used and these are V-shaped and fastened to the conveyor H so as to project transversely thereof, thus allowing it to follow about the stretcher bar l2 with as little resistance as possible.

The apparatus described so far is that of a well known unhairing machine and comprises only such parts as cooperate with the attachment forming the present invention.

Referring now to the means for automatically allowing the fastening pins and pocket to clear the cutting blades, the stretcher barl2 is mounted to move away from the cutting mechanism and to bring about this movement the ears 1% are provided with outwardly projecting pins 3'! which rest in the bottom of upright slots 38 in slide blocks 39 arranged on opposite sides of the machine and adapted to slide on the top surfaces 49 of the side frames I G. The blocks 39 are each provided with spaced lugs 4i projecting outwardly from the outside face to receive and be permanently attached to one end of a rod 42, the opposite or free end thereof projecting into and being guided in a guide block 43, which is rigidly mounted on an upright lug 44 on the top of the frame IE3.

Parallel longitudinal movement is imparted to the slide blocks 39 and stretcher bar l2 by means of a mechanism comprising a pin 45 carried on each block 39 and engaged in the slot 46 of an arm 41 which is fixed at its upper end on an overhead rock shaft 48. The shaft 48 is supported at its opposite ends in bearing plates 49 rigidly attached to the outer sides of the frames H3. The normal position of the stretcher bar i2 is its operating position, i. e., a position nearest the cutting mechanism, as illustrated in Figure 1, and to hold it so, the tendency of the rock shaft 43 is to rotate clockwise and with it the arms :8? which through pins 45 project the blocks 39 and stretcher bar l2 towards the cutting mechanism. In order to maintain this position under tension so as to draw the conveyor H to a taut condition, an arm 5!! is fixed to each end of the shaft 5% beyond the bearing plate 49; the arms hanging downwardly from the shaft 48 are attached to the inner ends of helical springs 5|, the outer ends thereof being carried by screw hooks 52 adjustably arranged in lugs 53 on the sides of the frames l9.

With the foregoing in mind, it will be clear that in order to withdraw the stretcher bar I! and the conveyor H at the station where the blades 25 and 25 perform the cutting operation, the rock shaft 68 must turn against the tension of the springs 5| to draw back on the blocks 39. It must also be clear that this movement must be effected automatically whenever a pocket or other fastening means is traversing the edge of the stretcher bar l2.

The means utilized to bring about the required receding movement of the stretcher bar l2, comprises a rotary collar or sleeve 54 turning on the bearing 29 at one side of the machine and being fixed to the shaft 28. The sleeve 54 carries a crank pin 55, which is disposed on a radial line coinciding with the line of the rotary blade 26, and which carries one end of a link 55, the opposite end thereof projecting away from the cutting mechanism and parallel to the side frame H3 and having a notch 51 in its under side at a point short of its free end. The notched portion of the link 55 rests against the side of the arm 41 and is movable thereover as the link reciprocates with the movement of the crank pin 55. A catch pin 58 is arranged on the arm 4'! and is adapted to engage in the notch 5'! when the link moves with the blade 26 to the cutting position of the r latter. Normally however, or to be more accurate, when a fastening means is not traversing the stretcher bar i2 the link 56 and its notch 5? rides over the pin 58 because of a spring lift element consisting of a short pivoted arm 59 disposed beneath the link 56 and provided with a spring at its pivoted end to exert an upward movement to its free end, which has a roller 6| engaging the link and tending to keep it in its raised position and its notch 51 out of engagement with the pin 58.

In order to engage the notch 51 with the pin 58 it is necessary to swing the free end of the link 55 to a lower position and this is done by means of a rod 52 carried at its upper end on the extreme end of the link 56 and attached at its lower end to the armature 83 of a magnetic coil 64. The coil is energized through an electric circuit 55 and a quick throw switch arrangement 55 mounted on the frame it! of the machine. The switch 65 may be any of the well known devices of this character which is operated from a rock shaft 61 supported in a bracket 58 arranged on the side of the frame. The shaft 6! is disposed above the upper strand of the conveyor I I and is provided with an arm 69 normally tensioned to hold a follower 10 at its free end on. the margin of the conveyor II.

The switch is tripped by means of cams 1I attached to the margin of the conveyor II beyond the ends of each pocket or other fastening means. The relative positions of the switch trip and that of the pockets or other fastening means are such that whenever a cam H is passing under the follower 10 to close the switch and circuit and consequently withdraw the stretcher bar I2, a pocket will be passing about the edge of the latter without interference from the cutting mechanism which is then out of reach of the conveyor and any projecting portions thereof.

The mechanism thus far described operates as follows: After the cam H has closed the switch 66 and circuit 65, the coil 64 is energized and withdraws the armature 63. The rod 62 is likewise pulled downwardly and with it the free end of the arm 56 which engages the pin 58 in the slot 51. The reciprocating movement of the arm 56 causes the arm 50 to swing rearwardly against the tension of spring 5! and to rock arm 56 in the same direction. This operation moves the pin 45 and its blocks 39 and with them the stretcher bar I2 away from the paths of the cutting blades 25 and 28. The pocket 34 then reaches the stretcher bar I2 and passes about the same. Immediately following the passing of the pocket 34 over the bar I2, the cam U will have moved beyond the roller 10 and the contact in the switch 60 will be broken. The armature 63 is then released and the arm 56 is lifted by the resilient support BI which movement disengages the pin 58 from the slot 51 and allows the arm 50 to swing back to its normal position under tension of spring 5|. This movement causes the arm 41, pin 45, blocks 39 and stretcher bar I2 to advance so as to bring the trailing portion of the pelt into the cutting path of the blades 25 and 20.

In Figures 3 and 4, another well known type of unhairing machine has been illustrated or at least such parts of the latter have been shown as cooperate with the attachment forming the present invention.

This machine comprises side frames, each of which has a base plate I 00 and an upright standard IOI at one end of the plate and at the other end a forwardly and upwardly inclined pivot post I02. Mounted intermediate the side frames is a U-shaped cradle frame I03, the closed end thereof being disposed between the standards IOI and the arms I04 pivoting on a shaft I05 which is mounted at its ends in the posts I02.

The turning axis of the cradle I03 is somewhat closer to the open end of the arms I04 than it is to the closed end, so as to distribute the greater amount of weight at the closed end and create a tendency for this end to drop of its own weight. Integral with the cradle frame is a stretcher bar I05 which comprises side arms projecting upwardly from the arms I04 just inside the closed end of the frame and a tapered edged cross bar I01 at the upper ends of the side arms. A drive roller I08 is disposed parallel to the cross bar I01 at the foot of the stretcher bar side arms between the latter and the closed end of the cradle A second roller I09 is mounted in bearings IIO on the upper edge of the stretcher bar side arms. An idler roller III is journalled at its ends in the free ends of the arm I04 and a platen roller H2 is mounted to turn freely on the shaft I05 between the side arms I04.

Thecradle I03 supports a traveling continuous carrier or conveyor I13 of practically the same construction as that of conveyor II in the first mentioned type of machine. One end of the conveyor H3 is supported on and turns about the stretcher bar cross piece I01, the returning strand of the conveyor dropping downwardly turns about the roller I08 while the upper strand travels upwardly fromunder the second roller I09. The two strands of the conveyor project towards the free end of the cradle and turn about the idler roller III. The platen roller H2 is disposed between the strands and contacts the same. The conveyor is provided with the marginally disposed cams I I4 and pelt attaching and holding means II5 similar to those already described.

Referring now to the cutting mechanism, the latter comprises a radially disposed rotary knife blade IIS and fixed blade II1, the rotary blade depending from the arms of a rock shaft I I0 disposed above the path of movement of the stretcher bar cross piece I01 and journalled in bearings in the upper ends of the standards MI. The shaft IIB is oscillated by means of an upright arm H9 carried by a hub keyed to the shaft, the upper end of the arm II9 being provided with a pin I disposed parallel to the shaft.

Normally the pin I20 is engaged in an upright slot 525 arranged adjacent the outer end of a pitman rod I22 which is mounted on a radially adjustable crank pin I23 of a wheel I24. The wheel I24 is carried on the outer end of a driven shaft I25, the latter being driven through a chain and sprocket drive I20 operated from a power shaft I21. The shaft I25 is mounted in bearings I20 formed at the free ends of lateral arms I29 integral with the upper ends of the standards IOI.

The cradle frame I03 is rocked about its pivotal connection I05 by means of a cam I30 turning with the shaft I25 and contacting a follower I3I in the form of an inverted L-shaped arm, the lower end thereof being connected to the midportion of the closed end of the cradle, so that rotation of the cam I30 causes the latter at its high point to lift the follower I3I and with it the cradle to bring and hold the stretcher bar I06 into operative position beneath the cutting mechanism.

Further details of the cutting mechanism comprises a hood I32 mounted on the fixed blade H1 and adapted to enclose the rotary cutter HE, and a rotary brush I33 arranged in the path of the pelts carried over the stretcher bar I00 in order to brush the soft fur away from the stiffer hairs which are being cut. The brush I33 is constantly driven by a sprocket and chain connection I34 with the drive shaft I21.

Heretofore, a handle has been provided at the free end of the pitman rod I2I, so as to facilitate raising the rod when the pockets or other fastening means on the conveyor I I3 pass above the stretcher bar I05, so as to disengage the rod I2I and pin I20 with the result that the rod will continue to reciprocate, but the pin I20, rock shaft H8 and cutting blade will remain stationary.

According to the present invention it is contemplated to automatically lift the arm or pitman I2I whenever a pocket or fastening member moves into the path of knife blade H0 and in order to accomplish this purpose a bracket I35 is mounted on the outer face of the standard I0! and is bent to provide an upright arm I36 arranged out in front of the arm II 9 and pitman rod I22. The arm I36 at its upper end carries a pivot pin I37 upon which a lifting lever I38 is mounted substantially midway of its length. One end of the lifting lever I38 carries a pin I39 upon which the pitman rod I22 rests or is in contact between its attached end and the slot I2I, the opposite end of the lever I38 is attached by hook or other means to the upper end of a depending link rod I40. This rod I46 comprises a turn buckle I4I to adjust its length and is attached to the armature I42 of a magnetic coil I43. The coil is energized through an electric circuit I44 and quick throw switch arrangement I45 carried on a bracket I46 on the pivot post I02. The switch as previously explained. is operated through a follower or cam II4 arranged on the margin of the conveyor II3 opposite the pocket or other fastening means H5 and adapted to engage and lift the follower M! of the switch I45, the follower in this embodiment being supported from underneath the upper strand of the conveyor by means of the platen roller II2.

In operation, the cam II4, as it passes over the platen II2, engages and lifts the follower I4I simultaneously with preceding pocket or fastening means I I5 having started over the stretcher bar I9! with a result that the switch I45 is closed and the magnetic coil I43 is energized to pull downwardly on its armature I42 and link I40 which rocks the lever I38 and causes the pin I39 to lift the pitman rod I22 out of engagement with the pin I26. The pitman rod is retained in its lifted position, although it continues to reciprocate, until the cam II4 passes from under the switch operating follower M1 at which time the pocket or fastening means has passed completely over and beyond the stretcher bar I0! whereby the pitman drops and engages the pin I20 to rock the shaft H8 and blade II6.

It is to be noted that the arrangement of the pins 36 in Figures 5 and 6 allows the skin to be stretched to lie perfectly flat upon the carrier. These pins are each substantially U-shaped having one arm longer than the other, the longer arm 36 being turned upwardly at an inclination and the shorter arm 36 having its point directed upwardly at right angles. The pins 36 are further arranged so as to bring their points in opposite directions transversely of the carrier. The longer arm 36 prevents the skin from being pulled away from the carrier by the brush 32 and the shorter arm 36 prevents the skin from freeing itself from the longer arm 36 Referring to the construction illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, I provide a grip for the skin after passing the edge I5 of the stretcher bar I2 to hold it against the surface of the under strand of the conveyor II. The grip comprises a roller IZ mounted on the under side of the bar I2 and disposed intermediate and parallel to the rollers I6 and II. The conveyor II is threaded to pass over the upper surface of the roller I2 so as to cause the unattached trailing end of the skin to be held closely to the conveyor until it has passed beyond the reach of the brush 32, with which it might otherwise become engaged and possibly entangled.

What I claim is:

1. In an unhairing machine, a movable carrier provided with fastening means to hold the pelts thereon, a stretcher bar for the carrier, cutting means operable along the stretcher bar,

and control means operable from the carrier to suspend effective operation of the cutting means during movement of the fastening means through the path of the cutting means.

2. In an unhairing machine, a movable carrier provided with spaced fastening means to hold the pelts thereon, a stretcher bar about which the carrier turns to cause the stiff hairs of the pelt to stand out from the soft fur thereof, cutting means to sever the stiff hairs along the line of the stretcher bar, and control means operable from the carrier to suspend effective operation of the cutting means during the passage of the fastening means over the stretcher bar.

3. In an unhairing machine, a movable carrier having spaced fastening means to hold the pelts to the carrier, a stretcher bar over which the carrier turns to cause the stiff hairs of the pelts to stand out from the soft fur thereof, cutting means to sever the stiff hair along the line of the stretcher bar, and electrically controlled means operable from the carrier to suspend effective operation of the cutting means during the passage of the separate fastening means over the stretcher bar.

4. In an unhairing machine, a movable carrier supported on a stretcher bar and adapted to cause the stiff hairs of a pelt to stand out from the soft fur along the line of the bar, rotary cutting means to sever the stiff hairs, the combination of spaced fastening means arranged on the carrier to hold the pelts thereon, and electrically controlled means operable from the carrier adjacent each fastening means to suspend effective operation of the cutting means during the passage of each fastening means over the stretcher bar.

5. In an unhairing machine, a movable continuous carrier supported on a stretcher bar and adapted to cause the stiff hairs of a pelt to stand out from the soft fur along the line of the bar, and rotary cutting means to sever the stiff hairs, the combination of a plurality of spaced pockets arranged transversely of the carrier to receive the leading ends of the pelts and guide them into the path of the cutting means, a cam arranged adjacent each pocket on the carrier, an electrically controlled means operable from the cams to suspend effective operation of the cutting means during the passage of each pocket through the path of the cutting means.

6. In an unhairing machine having a movable carrier provided with fastening means to hold the pelts, and supported on a movable stretcher bar along which the stiff hairs of the pelt stand out from the soft fur thereof, a rotary cutter to sever the stiff hairs along the line of the stretcher bar, and control means operable from the carrier to cause the stretcher bar to recede from the path of the cutting means during movement of the fastening means through the same path.

'7. In an unhairing machine, the combination of a movable carrier having spaced fastening means to hold the pelts to the carrier, a stretcher bar over which the carrier moves to cause the stiff hairs of the pelts to stand out from the soft fur thereof along the line of the bar, a rotary cutter operable along the line of the stretcher bar to sever the stiff hairs,vand electrical means operating from the carrier to cause the stretcher bar to recede and to allow the fastening means to pass the rotary cutter without being damaged by the latter.

8. In an unhairing machine, the combination of a continuous carrier having spaced transverse- 1y disposed pockets for the leading ends of the pelts, a stretcher bar about which the carrier turns to cause the stiff hairs of the pelts to stand out from the soft fur thereof along the line of the bar, a rotary cutter operating along the bar to sever the stiff hairs, means operated from the cutter to cause the stretcher bar to recede from the cutter and the pockets to pass the latter without damage, and further means operable from the carrier and connected to the last means to control the latter from remote stations on the carrier.

9. An unhairing machine, as claimed in claim 8, including a rotary brush movable over the pelt along the line of the stretcher bar to brush the fur away from the projecting stiff hairs.

10. An unhairing machine, as claimed in claim 8, in which the stretcher bar is mounted on a sliding member, and the means causing the bar to recede comprises an overhead rock shaft, an arm turning therewith and connected to the slide, a spring to yieldably urge the stretcher bar towards the cutter, and a link mounted on the cutter eccentrically of the axis thereof and provided with a portion to engage the arm and move the slide member and bar away from the cutter, said link being connected to the means operable from the carrier.

11. An unhairing machine, as claimed in claim 8, in which the last named means comprises an electric switch closed by the movement of the carrier and adapted to control an electric circuit, and a magnetic arrangement in said circuit connected to the means operating the stretcher bar, whereby closing of the switch causes the bar to recede from the cutter.

12. In an unhairing machine, a movable carrier having spaced fastening means to hold the leading ends of the pelts, a cradle to support the carrier provided with a stretcher bar over which the carrier travels to cause the stiff hairs of the pelt to stand out from the soft fur along the line of the bar, a rotary cutter to sever the stiff hairs of the pelts, means to operate the cutter and rock the cradle into position to cause the line of stiff hairs to be severed, and control means operable from remote points on the carrier and connected to the cutter to suspend operation thereof as each fastening means passes through the path of the cutter.

13. An unhairing machine, as claimed in claim 12, in which the means operating the cutter comprises an arm projecting therefrom, a pitman rod detachably engaged with the arm at one end and reciprocably driven at the other end, and a lever to lift the pitman and disengage it from the arm, said lever being connected to and operated from the said control means.

1 1. In an unhairing machine provided with a movable carrier having spaced fastening means to hold the leading ends of pelts to the carrier, a cradle frame supporting the carrier and having a stretcher bar over which the latter turns to cause the stiff hairs of the pelts to stand out from the soft fur along the line of the bar, a cutter operating to sever the stiff hairs along said line, means to rock the cradle to bring the stiff hairs into position to be severed, a pitman rod connection with the cutter to operate the same, means to disconnect the pitman rod from the cutter,

electrical means operable from a remote station on the machine and connected to the last means to cause the pitman rod to be disconnected, and further means disposed on the carrier adjacent each fastening means to engage and cause the electrical means to operate and suspend operation of the cutter during movement of each fastening means into and through the path of the cutter.

15. An unhairing machine, as claimed in claim 14, including a rotary brush to brush the soft fur away from the stiff hairs along the line of the stretcher bar during the movement of the cradle .to and away from the cutter.

16. In an unhairing machine. a movable carrier, a stretcher bar over which the carrier turns to cause the stiff hairs of the pelts being carried thereon to stand out from the soft fur along the line of the bar, a cutter to sever the stiff hairs along the bar, fastening means for holding the leading ends of the pelts comprising narrow lengths of material disposed transversely of the carrier at spaced intervals and attached thereto along their leading sides, cams arranged on the carrier at the ends of the fastening means, and means operable from said cams to suspend operation of the cutter during movement of the said lengths of material about the stretcher bar.

1'7. An unhairing machine as claimed in claim 16, including pins projecting from the carrier beneath the lengths of material to engage into the pelts.

18. An unhairing machine, as claimed in claim 16, in which the stretcher bar comprises a tapered section about which the carrier turns, rollers disposed back of the section and ada ted to support the upper and lower stands of the carrier, and a roller resiliently supported against the carrier between the tapered section and adjacent roller to press the lengths of material over the ends of the pelts.

19. In an unhairing machine, a movable carrier having spaced fastening means to hold the pelts to the carrier, a stretcher bar for the carrier to cause the latter to turn about at an angle and the stiff hairs of the pelt to stand out from the soft fur thereof, a cutter to sever the stiif hair along the line of the stretcher bar, and electrical means operable from the carrier adjacent each fastening means and connected to the stretcher bar tocause the latter to recede simultaneously with the movement of each fastening means about the stretcher bar.

20. An unhairing machine, as claimed in claim 19, in which said electrical means comprises a quick throw switch, a follower traversing the side of the carrier and being connected to operate the switch, and a cam carried adjacent each fastening means on the carrier in line with said follower to close the switch and cause the stretcher bar to recede, and the fastening means to pass the bar free of the cutter.

21. An unhairing machine, as claimed in claim 8, including a rotary brush movable over the pelt along the line of the stretcher bar to brush the fur away from the projecting stiff hairs, and means over which the carrier passes beyond the stretcher bar and in proximity to the path of movement of the brush to prevent the trailing end of the pelt from becoming engaged with the brush.

JACOB ZABEL. 

